Backstab the Kingpin

ASK BACKSTAB THE KINGPIN ANY ANONYMOUS QUESTION @ :http://www.formspring.me/btkalldayBackstab the Kingpin has a long winding history in Midwest hip-hop, more notably, Detroit, MI He started with a four track, a sample machine and radio shack mic in the mid 90's at a very young age. In the late 90's he'd become a DJ at Detroit's biggest Blind pig establishment spinning east coast underground hip-hop. He was chosen to represent the local Detroit music scene by ranting his lyrics in spoken word form at that years Lollapalooza. He'd release a solo EP entitled "The Kingpin" (sold on cassette) and formed a group called the Fenkell Avenue Players. It was during this time backstab shared the stage with soon to be rap legend, Eminem. In 1998, the group released it's only full length album entitled "Detroit4life". Both of Backstab's first two releases were written up by the Midwest's most popular hip-hop magazine, MurderDog. Backstab was beginning to sell units out of his local area. In 2001, Backstab released his critically acclaimed solo album "Backstab Projects" LP. He won Best New Artist at the 2001 Detroit Hip-Hop Awards. His independent Label was nominated by the Detroit Music Awards as Best Label of the Year. The Detroit Music Awards also nominated him for Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist of the year. He toured doing over 100 shows in one year promoting his new record. He hosted a 12 hour hip-hop/punk rock, 2 stage, Detroit music benefit for 9/11 families. His endeavor was covered by all major news in Michigan. During this year and the next, backstab would write for one of the top local music magazine publications (Jam Rag) under a pen name reviewing local hip-hop releases. It was one of only three magazines in the city that reviewed hip-hop Backstab was hired at CJAM Radio 91.5fm in Windsor, Canada. He played only Michigan hip-hop during his 6 hour shifts. He acquired and began to create what is undoubtedly, now Michigan's biggest hip-hop website, www.detroitrap.com He was being featured in magazine spreads overseas and was now beginning to sell his Projects Lp worldwide. It was in those early interviews Backstab unknowingly was beginning to build a local "beef" with Eminem's crew, D-12. His honest words, coupled with his newfound success, did not rest well with Detroit's "real" whiteboy rapper. In 2002, Backstab hosted the Detroit Hip-hop Awards. He won "Best Collaboration" with rap duo, the Artfull Dodgers and was nominated for "Emcee of the year". He opened up for rap legends 50 Cent, and Slick Rick, and shared the stage with the likes of (the late) Mc Breed, Royce the 5-9 and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The movie, 8 Mile, was released and Backstab was getting featured weekly in newsprint across the world for telling people how Detroit "really was back then". In an interview with an Italian magazine, backstab's negative words about D-12 member, Proof, were starting to create problems locally. Proof would then diss backstab on a record and when Eminem's racist rant about an ex-girlfriend were purchased by the Source Magazine, backstab was one of the first blamed for leaking it. The truth would eventually surface that it wasn't him but the damage was already done. His downward spiral in popularity in his own hometown would lead to him releasing his sophomore album abrasively entitled "Blow Me". He recruited Detroit rap legend, Dice, and Brooklyn emcee, Thirstin Howl III (MTV's Lyricist Lounge) to guest feature on this album. It was this second full length album that would sell over 50,000 copies worldwide over the next four years. In 2003, Backstab would be nominated for Outstanding hip-hop artist by the Detroit Music Awards. A year later he would sell detroitrap.com, stop writing for the Jam Rag, and call Florida his home away from home. Music was changing, hip-hop was going pop, and records were no longer selling. The age of downloading had arrived, his children were getting older, and the economy was crashing. He would release just a handful of new music from 2005-2008. In 2006, his hip-hop name was somewhat resurrected with the release of his digital single "My Element" that would draw the attention of car company, Honda, and lead to talks of selling his rights for a potential commercial. The talks eventually fizzled out and "My Element" reached its maximum potential with over 200,000 free downloads via mp3 site www.soundlick.com. Currently, Backstab the kingpin spends time in Michigan and Florida hosts a weekly radio show on the internet and continues to help keep hip-hop alive by helping legends from the past help push their current endeavors. 321-216-7496www.soundclick.com/blowmelp www.soundclick.com/backstabthekingpin